Aviation Biju John | May 17, 2026

Air Arabia Reports AED 278 Million Net Profit for First Quarter 2026

Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest budget carrier operator in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026.

Net Profit:
AED 278 million, down 22% from AED 355 million in Q1 2025.

Revenue:
AED 1.8 billion, a slight 1% increase year-on-year.

Passenger Numbers:
4.7 million carried, a 5% decline compared to last year.

Seat Load Factor:
Improved to 86%, up 2 percentage points, showing strong demand despite reduced capacity.

Operational Challenges:
The decline in profit was mainly due to regional conflict, leading to airspace closures and temporary restrictions.

Fleet:
Operated 90 Airbus A320/A321 aircraft across hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan, with more deliveries expected in 2026.

Recognition:
Named among Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Most Valuable Companies 2026.

ESG Commitment:
Secured a Limited Assurance Statement on its 2025 ESG Report, reinforcing transparency and sustainability.

Outlook:
Management highlighted ongoing challenges like fuel price volatility, inflation, and supply chain pressures, but expressed confidence in regional economic resilience.

This paints a picture of an airline that’s financially resilient, maintaining strong demand and efficiency even under geopolitical stress.